Welcome to another episode of “Three Things I Like” where I share a card (from a fellow stamper) that I absolutely love. Often times we see a card and immediately say, “I love this card!” and move on to another card without answering why we love it. Today’s card is by Jackie Hardy, a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator from Pembroke Pines, Florida. I’m going to share her card, and then I’m going to tell you why you love it.
Before I share the card (no peeking)…I didn’t prepare swaps for Leadership, so I only received cards from people who were nice enough to gift me one. Jackie gave me one of her swaps after I bravely saved her life. That’s right! Jackie and I met while walking over to the Friday night pajama party at Leadership. We chatted a little bit before Jackie tripped and began tumbling, head over feet, into oncoming traffic. I grabbed Jackie by her arm, pulling…OK, that’s not really what happened. It wasn’t that dramatic! Jackie’s shoe caught on the rug, and she made one small hop to catch herself. I just happened to be there to offer that I had saved her life. A much better story when I heroically save her life, huh?
I kinda’ lost track a bit there. Without further ado, here’s Jackie’s beautiful card:
And now, three reasons (there are more, but I limited it to three) why this card is absolutely beautiful:
- Balance of colors. Jackie’s card showcases the perfect balance of muted neutrals, soft pastels and bold brights. The soft Pool Party and muted Crumb Cake allow the bold touches of Tangerine Tango to pop, but they don’t allow it to take center stage. Jackie sponged some Pool Party behind the central piece, adding a beautiful depth to the card. One more thing to note: Jackie repeats all three colors on both levels of the card. A stunning balance of color.
- The textures. This card is rich with texture. I don’t know that I would have ever selected the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder as a background for this gorgeous seascape, but it is the perfect texture for this card. Embossed in Crumb Cake, this folder evokes a gritty, sandy texture. The smooth ribbon. The torn sand across the bottom of the central image. The pop of the stippled shell. Look how they all add together to create a beautiful texture:
- The placement of the stamped script. I love the script that accompanies the stamp set, a little poem about shells of different sizes and colors. I have played around with this set and tried to properly showcase this script. Jackie found the answer to my predicament. By lightly stamping the sentiment twice in the background and offset slightly from one another, Jackie has created the perfect balance for this script.
Stamp sets: By the Tide Papers: Pool party, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla Inks: Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango Accessories: Fancy Fans Embossing Folder, Sycamore Street Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Thank you for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
A couple of updates:
The post office is causing me all kinds of stress these days:
- Swatch books. Many of you received your swatch books this week. I mailed them all out last week (before the postal rates went up). I’ve heard that you might have received a “postage due” notice from the post office, but I want you to know that I weighed each and every package at the post office, using their equipment. I am so sorry for any inconvenience this might have caused.
- Jude and Jonas’ Birthday. Since I made individual cards for Janelle’s twin boys (see the post here), I mailed them separately with plenty of time for them to arrive before their Saturday birthday. I thought it would be nice for the boys to each receive their own card in the mail. Sad news. Jonas’ card arrived Saturday. As of Monday evening, Jude’s is missing in action. Both mailed at the same time, one missing in transit.
The post office is making up for it a little bit, though:
One-for-One Valentine’s Day Swap. This is the last week of my Valentine’s Day One-for-One Swap. The cards have started to pour in (makes me so happy!), so thank you. If you haven’t sent yours, you can do it now! For more information, click here.
What a stunning card Jackie! A most beautiful swap, glad you’re OK with Brian’s strong hand of assistance! I too mailed my downline a card to Las Vegas Weeks Ago! She’s never received it, and it has not returned to me. Someone out there is a handmade card snatcher!
Well done Jackie. This is a gorgeous card! I’m really liking the look of that stamp set.
Brian, I am so glad you were there to save Jackie’s life 😉 Well done to your heroic efforts!
Thanks for the chuckles I get everyday from your entertaining blog. I do like how you dissect the cards and explain all the details.
Have a good day,
Jenny
Thank you Brian, and not just for featuring my card! What are the odds that I would trip while walking next to one of the rare Male SU Demonstrators clad in PJ’s with all of those women around? I do appreciate you being there to catch me, otherwise we would have never met and I would have not been introduced to your wonderful creativity! It’s truly an honor! Thanks again.
Jackie’s card is great. I agree that it’s hard to limit your favorites to 3. Brian, you are such a hero. Your super hero speed and strength save the day…yet again!
Lovely card, Jackie!! The “Fancy Fans” EF looks like the waves of the sea, really perfect for the background. Love how you made the “sand” for the shell to rest on and the colors you picked for this really gorgeous seascape card. Thanks for sharing it, Brian.
Brian, it just hit me…..the price of the postage just went up so, what ‘s going to happen to the swap cards we already mailed with the old stamps? Do you think the post office will still deliver them? Just wondering.
I didn’t even think of that. If y’all didn’t use a “forever” stamp, then I will add the extra postage. No biggie. Thanks for the heads-up!
Oh, my dear, that is just so sweet of you!! Thank you!! You really are the host with the most kind heart, and yours is made out of pearls!!!!!
WOWSERS on the card!
i am surprised you could stop at three things on this visual delight . And to think we almost lost her talent in a headlong collision to the floor had it not been for you ,Brave Brian !!! I am always a fan of script on a card and this placement is so perfect . The colors and everything about this card are so so pretty.
I am fortunate enough to know the incredible artist, Jackie. And, if that’s not enough, my good fortune continues once a month when I take a class with Jackie and 3 other lovely SU demonstrators. Thank you for saving her Brian!
Beautiful card and love the way you highlight your favorite touches to us, Brian! Thanks for sharing! I’m so glad that you two didn’t trip in the middle of the road in your pajamas…people might wonder about stampers!! 🙂 My card was mailed on Saturday, so hope it shows up in Atlanta soon. Our dear mailman skated from house to house yesterday and finally made it here by 5pm…lovely winter day 🙂
Love this card! Can’t wait to try making it. I bought the set but haven’t made anything fantastic with it yet. This will be it! TFS
Nice card and what a heroic move for you to save Jackie. No wonder she gave you a card! I know there are many elements on this card but most of all I love the script. Think of it without it.. And then with. And then what a hero you are!
Thanks for sharing this great card Brian. The embossing folder reminds me of a clam shell which works perfectly with the other beachy elements. The colors are lovely also. Happy Stampin’!
ooh thanks for sharing this BEAUITIFUL card ! it’s so pretty , Brian your so cute , I don’t think you would of let her fall, ops nice too, I enjoyed meeting you , you made every min, so mush fun , thanks hope to see you again one day !!!
hugs frenchie, and I look forward to your post every day !!!
My favorite part of this beautiful card was the way she balanced the script. Just gorgeous Jackie. Hey Brian, when you saved Jackie did you have on your Super Hero PJ’s? LOL What a fun way to make a new friend.
I have the pleasure to be Jackie’s upline and good friend. Jackie is extremely talented and we are very fortunate to have Jackie as part of the DIVAS in PARADISE group.
What a gorgeous card, Jackie. TFS, Brian!
Wow! Such an amazing card! Perfect color pairing! Awesome job, Jackie! This set is definitely on my wish list. (And so glad to hear Brian was there in your time of need! 🙂 )
Oh, my! Such postal drama! I know we all have similar stories we could share, too.
And, Brian, I, too, really enjoyed your continuation of the tour of your stamping room organization!!!
I just mailed my ‘One-for-One Valentine’s Day Swap.’ I’m so excited! 🙂
Hi Brian! Thank you for sharing Jackie’s card with us. You know gorgeous when you see it! I ordered the Fancy Fan set because I thought it would be pretty as the background of a card (but I haven’t received it yet). I hope it’s not held up in the mail too. I can’t wait to receive it after seeing Jackie’s beautiful creation. Thank you Jackie for stumbling into Brian. Ya’ll will be Forever Friends!
Absolutely gorgeous!
Brian, not only are you very talented (with or without your Super Hero cape on) but you also have a terrific following! Thanks again for featuring my card (we’re even now, LOL)! And special thanks to all of your kind fans for their wonderful complements and comments!
I knew I really liked the card, but now I also know WHY! Thank you so much!!
I liked everything about this card. In fact, I saved the blog post and today I had time to sit down and CASE it. I thought it would be complicated and difficult, but your “likes” kind of read like a mini tutorial, and made this a really fun project. Thanks to you AND Jackie for sharing!
I know that I’m way behind again, but have to comment on this beautiful card…I bought this set with great expectations on what I would do with it….alas, nothing really worked and so I put it aside…waiting for some wonderful inspiration and Jackie is giving me some – thanks to you!
Brian, thank you I received my Sent With Love Swatch Book. You keep making swatches and I will keep buy them. Wonderful quality in your detailed work.